Rossi calls for Yamaha improvement

Three-time world champion Valentino Rossi has urged his Gauloises Yamaha team to deliver more power if he is to challenge for a fourth crown.

The Italian switched from the dominant Honda squad to their Japanese rivals this winter and has quickly discovered why Yamaha lagged behind the front-runners last season.

On the final day of testing at Phillip Island in Australia, Rossi was outpaced by his four main Honda rivals, Max Biaggi, Sete Gibernau, Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards.

Rossi was nevertheless pleased with the progress he has made during the three-day test, although he is keen for more power to help him on his way.

He said: “I’m pretty happy. This test’s been quite good and we have already improved a lot since we began testing.

“I still need more horsepower and it is more difficult to ride at the moment because I have to push much harder.

“Today I did more than 25 consecutive laps and already the bike seems to work quite well when the tyres are wearing down, which is very important to know.

“In an ideal world I will have more horsepower for the next test here in two weeks’ time. Yamaha have worked so hard and so quickly so I am sure we can continue in this way.”